15 common supplement ingredients that could make you seriously sick

From omega-3s to prenatal vitamins, supplements can provide major benefits. But a new analysis from Consumer Reports reveals many ingredients found in popular supplements could seriously compromise your health.

Unlike prescription drugs and OTC medicines like ibuprofen or aspirin, "supplements are not tested for safety and efficacy by the FDA," said Ellen Kunes, who leads the health and food team at Consumer Reports. And of the more than 15,000 supplements in the US marketplace, only a few hundred undergo spot-checking by regulatory authorities, she said.

That's pretty scary when you consider some common supplement ingredients can cause kidney and liver damage—among many other significant health issues, Kunes said.

In particular, consumers need to watch out for diet supplements (like garcinia cambogia), said Dr. Mark Moyad, director of complementary and alternative medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center.

"Almost anything for weight loss should be a concern because most of them work by increasing blood pressure or heart rate while also trying to increase metabolism," he explains.

Moyad looked at the Consumer Reports no-no list, and said he agrees with "virtually all" of their inclusions and concerns. He added that the levels of heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury that turn up in supplements are also a big problem.

"There are times when people may need supplements—like if a doctor recommends or prescribes something for a condition like macular degeneration," Kunes said. But it's important to understand that supplements carry risks just like other medications.

According to the Consumer Reports analysis, there are 15 supplement ingredients in particular that you need to watch out for.

Here are the ones to avoid, and the types of products that are most likely to contain them.

Yohimbe

Where You Might Find It: In supplements marketed to treat low libido and erectile dysfunction, depression, and obesity